The best iPhone SE 2020 cases are essential purchases for anyone rocking Apple's entry-level iPhone. There are man ways a phone can get damaged in the real world, and given how insanely good value the latest iPhone SE is, you want to keep it going for as long as possible.
After all where else can you get the power of the A13 Bionic chipset, a 12-megapixel camera, water resistance, and wireless charging for under $400? Thankfully you are spoiled for choice where cases are concerned, because pretty much every accessory maker stocks them. So whatever tastes or needs you have, there's something for you. And these ones are the best iPhone SE 2020 cases you can buy right now.
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What are the best iPhone SE 2020 cases?
There's no single best iPhone SE case, because each user is going to be looking for something different. That said, some cases rise to the forefront as good all-around options for most people. Whether you're more interested in ruggedness and protection, or keeping things in line with your own aesthetic tastes.
Better still you don't even need to go out and buy a dedicated iPhone SE case, because it shares the exact same dimensions of the iPhone 8 (and the iPhone 7 before that), So you can use the same old cases that fit those devices on Apple's latest budget iPhone. In fact, many case makers are merely reselling their old models with a new label as a result of this.
Still, this is great news for customers, because it means you can save some cash by opting for an older iPhone case that's already been discounted after sitting on the shelves for a few years.
The best iPhone SE 2020 cases you can buy today
Apple may offer a cheaper $35 silicone case for the iPhone SE 2020, but we'd recommend using the leather option instead. Go to the right place and you'll find it for just $10 more, and unlike silicone it's not going to wear down quite so quickly. That's a common complaint with Apple's silicone cases, with some users reporting that that material gets stickier and chipper over time.
Leather is a lot more durable, while also looking and feeling much nicer too. In fact a good leather case can add a classy look to any phone, and the iPhone SE 2020 is no exception. It's available in black, blue, red, and has alumium-accented buttons that match the color of the leather. Plus $45 is pretty reasonably priced as far as leather cases go, making this one of the best iPhone SE cases for both style and practicality.
Ok, so this isn't an iPhone SE 2020 case. Not really. But when the phone has the exact same dimensions as the iPhone 8, it makes sense to utilize the cases that are available for Apple's former-flagship.
Tech21's PureClear offers 66 feet of drop protection, with practically no extra bulk, which means you won't feel like you're carrying around a protective brick. Likewise the translucent edged transparent shell is pretty sleek and minimalist, and some models even offer anti-bacterial coatings that are especially useful in the post-COVID world. $30 isn't the cheapest price out there, but Tech21 has a history of offering high-quality goods, and that makes this one of its more affordable options.
If you're looking for something that's both solid and fun, Speck has long-been a company to check out. The Presidio Pro series is no different. Sure it may be thicker than some of the other cases on this list, but that also means it offers 10 feet of drop protection to keep your iPhone SE safe and secure on the off chance that it ever took a tumble and landed in the wrong way.
This one is another one that comes with an anti-microbial finish, which is very helpful in the age of COVID and non-stop handwashing. It also comes in four different colors, with some of the same tasteful two-tone accents Speck has come to be known for. But, obviously, you're going to pay for that privilege.
A good wallet case can be pretty hard to come by these days, let alone one that can offer a modicum of protection. Thankfully Spigen has managed to strike a good balance with the Slim Armor CS cars, which is basically a Spigen Liquid Air Case with a hard plastic shell around the outside. Plus space for two credit cards, for the people who haven't fully converted to Apple Pay or still need to carry around an ID card.
Spigen has a reputation for its precise cutouts, tactile clicking buttons, and its trademark Air Cushion corners that can absorb drop impact without adding much bulk to the device itself. But, at $40, it is one of the pricier options Spigen has to offer, but you can get it for significantly less if you shop around. That makes it one of the more useful, and value for money, iPhone SE cases on the market.
Otterbox has been the go-to accessory maker for durability for almost as long as the iPhone has been around, and its iPhone SE Defender Pro case is no exception. This case is just about as rugged as they come, with a dual-layer design that marries a thick polycarbonate shell with a rubber insert. There's also a built-in screen protector, a lightning port cover, and fully-concealed buttons. It too has also been coated to help repel horrible microorganisms.
Naturally Otterbox is one of the more expensive options to pick, and you can expect to pay as much as $40 in some cases. But if you're serious about keeping your phone protected from the horrors of the world, then the Defender Pro series is among the most protective cases money can buy.
Previously known as the Silk Base Grip, this Smartish case has long been a personal favorite among the Tom's Guide staff. The texture on the sides is super grippy, ensuring fewer dropping incidents, super-clickable buttons, as well as a high quality fit and finish. Even more impressive is that this case costs just $12.
It's pretty sturdy too, with airpocket corners that ensure any tumbles your iPhone SE does take won't be the end of the world. It's also not the most slender case out there, but it doesn't have nearly as much bulk as some of the other cases on this list. So it's a nice middle ground for people who want some protection, without sacrificing design and portability. We just wish there were more colors available.
Earlier this year, Incipio introduced its Organicore line of 100% compostable cases derived from plants. It wasn't the first accessory make to produce such a case, with Pela having made a name for itself delivering a similar pitch. However, it is the best we've found.
Incipio's Organicore line feels sturdy, with a pleasing texture to the touch that is soft, but not slippery or greasy. We also love the colors Incipio has settled upon, especially Deep Pine Green and Oatmeal Beige, which are speckled with neutral tones to convey a very fashionable earthy aesthetic. On the flip side, you will have to spend a lot for that kindness to the environment. The Organicore iPhone SE case can cost as much as $40, which is just $5 less than what Apple wants for its own leather case.
Moment is a company that produces a line of camera lenses for popular smartphones, including Apple's iPhones. They also sell cases that allow you to quickly clip on or remove such lenses, which is handy. But truthfully, even if you don't see yourself using a Moment lens — or, perhaps, not yet — their cases are gorgeous in their own right.
Moment's Thin Case designed for the new iPhone SE may not have the same partial wood design as some cases the company offers for Apple's other flagships, but it's still a looker, thanks to a pattern of diagonally-etched lines across most of the backside. The only downside to this case is that it is a bit expensive, though we suppose that's the peace of mind you pay for so that your pricey camera lens doesn't fall off your new iPhone and shatter the perfect photo op.
Those who look for cheap yet well-made cases know Spigen very well. Spigen prides itself on offering excellent-feeling cases that typically cost a fraction of the price of what some other accessory makers charge, and its Thin Fit case for iPhone SE is a fine example of that.
The Thin Fit is a very simple hard plastic case, that leaves the iPhone SE's buttons, top and bottom exposed. Because it's more of a shell than a soft cushion, it's not likely to protect your iPhone much in the case of a drop. But some users prefer just having a very minimal protective layer wrapping around their handset to protect it from dings, scratches and scrapes, and the Thin Fit is suited well for that purpose. It's also very affordable, and like all Spigen products, regularly sees discounts on Amazon.
If you need the thinnest possible case, Totallee has you covered. The company is well known for having some fantastically slim cases, and some rock in at just 0.3 millimeters thick. Sure it might seem to thin to make any use, but Totallee fans are generally after surface-layer protection to keep their phone safe from scratches and dints.
Totallee's Thin Case is available in three different colors: Frosted Clear, Forsted Black, and Transparent. Though the last one is slightly thicker, at 0.5 millimeters, and is glossier than your usual TPU finished case. If you want a more minimalist look to your iPhone SE, and are willing to spend $30+ on a case, this might be the one for you.